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When did Jimmy Connors play his finest, best tennis?
7 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Jimmy Connors played a lot of tennis, from his early pro years as a teenager until age 44 in 1996, the American sporting icon captured 109 titles and eight Grand Slam titles.
But what was finest, best, greatest performance or performances on a tennis court by Jimmy Connors? Was it that miraculous 1991 semifinal run at the US Open at age 39? Was it one of his Grand Slam final triumphs? Or some long forgotten perfect, in-the-zone match in Tokyo or Los Angeles or somewhere off the beaten path?
So I asked the grand master himself. And his answer may be a surprise to some.
It was not the 1982 US Open final vs Ivan Lendl 63 62 46 64.
It was not the 1982 Wimbledon final vs John McEnroe 36 63 67 76 64.
It was not the 1987 Wimbledon R16 battle with Pernfors which he won from a perilously impossible two sets down 16 16 14 love-30… 16 16 75 64 62.
It was not the 1978 US Open final beating Borg 64 62 62.
It was not the supernatural 1991 semifinal run on Louis Armstrong Stadium at age 39.
The now 73 year old Hall of Famer said the greatest tennis he felt he ever played was the in the 1974 finals at Wimbledon and US Open which were both against Australian Ken Rosewall. “I think when I won Wimbledon for the first time and the US Open when I beat Rosewall. I went out and I played almost perfect tennis both times. You dream of matches like that, where anything you hit it just turns to gold. Those two matches are the ones that really stuck out in my mind for that.” The Wimbledon score was 61 61 64 and US Open score was 61 60 61. “From the moment I took the court and hit the first ball, I felt I was gliding. I was on a cloud. It was a terrific feeling,” Connors said after beating Rosewall at Forest Hills. These two victories were Jimmy’s second and third ATP matches vs Rosewall, who he had lost to in their only previous duel in 1972 R16 in Los Angeles 36 26.
Jimmy was 21 at Wimbledon that year and then turned 22 on September 2, 1974 when he won US Open. In 1974 Connors was almost unbeatable, winning three Grand Slams but he was banned from competing at French Open because of his association with World Team Tennis.
In 1974 Connors match record was 93-4 and he won 15 of the 21 tournaments he entered.
Jimmy Connors Biofile interview link
ATP · Jimmy Connors · US Open · Wimbledon
Steve · September 6, 2025 at 7:40 pm
He really beat up on the older generation when he was young. My fav. match of his I’ve seen was more of an exhibition called ITT Stakes vs. Agassi in 1989. He was a much better mover than Agassi even then. He did kind of glide on the court when he was at his best.
Connors’ book is one of the better tennis bios.
Did you know Mac used to serve just like Borg when he started on the tour? I once found a whole Connors/Mac US Open match from 1978 on Youtube. Mcenroe would change to his iconic sideways stance the following year.
Scoop Malinowski · September 6, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Steve, Did Connors win that exo vs Agassi? I never heard of it or saw, will check it out on You Tube. Yes I loved Outsider also, Jimmy was my first favorite player and always will be despite hearing some negative stories I don’t care, he did it his way and stayed true to his rebel instincts and never sold out. Did not know the evolution of the McEnroe serve, never heard anyone talk about it either.
Scoop Malinowski · September 6, 2025 at 8:16 pm
I have had nothing but positive interactions with Jimmy, the best was doing a long uninterrupted Biofile with him in NYC when he was there promoting a coaching DVD. Some told me it’s the most revealing and best interview anyone ever did with him. I added the Biofile link to the article. Worth a read.
Steve · September 7, 2025 at 12:24 pm
ITT Stakes
https://youtu.be/uho6BPQOC_g?si=eBHfrYYAEZzHcWXw
Mac vs Connors Wimby 1977 ( I couldn’t find the ’78 Open)
2 minutes 14 seconds in you can see Mac’s Borg-like serve motion
https://youtu.be/gMMY6YK1rh0?si=Q48smTShiuWYc86V
Scoop Malinowski · September 7, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Very interesting McEnroe created his own serve after copying Jimbo. And it sure did work. 47 degrees is too cold for high level tennis at 37 Jimbo was winning too, no surprise that unique format was abandoned. Thanks for sharing these rare videos.
Sam · September 27, 2025 at 1:07 am
Speaking of McEnroe, what did you think of this, Scoop?
https://tinyurl.com/ya2xmjpb
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2025 at 8:24 am
Low class cheap shot at a person just doing her job. He’s been making a lot of errors lately.